The truck haul beach nourishment project resumed operations on June 9 after Tropical Storm Colin. The storm generated rough surf along the Longboat Key shoreline for over three days, destroying several sea turtle nests and at least one shorebird nest. The storm also eroded sand from the upper beach along most of Longboat Key, including areas recently built by the truck haul project. Post-storm assessments indicate that much of the eroded sand was carried directly offshore and is migrating back onshore in many areas.

Beach construction along Segment 3 is complete. (See photo below showing Segment 3 after Tropical Storm Colin.) Trucks are continuing to use the access point at Gulfshore/Buttonwood Cove (3710 Gulf of Mexico Drive) to begin work on Segment 4. Trucks are rolling southward on the beach to the north boundary of the Beachcomber condominium (2721 Gulf of Mexico Drive), and sand will be placed northward to the access point over the next several weeks. The project will not affect sea turtle nests located near the Beachcomber.

As of June 12, almost 205,000 tons of sand had been delivered by truck to Longboat Key since the project started in April. Approximately 67 percent of the total truck tonnage has been delivered.

Mote Marine Laboratory sea turtle biologists have documented 343 sea turtle nests on Longboat Key as of June 13. Sixty-eight nests have been relocated from upcoming construction areas to safe areas of the beach where construction activity will not disturb the nests. Mote Marine personnel are working to determine how many nests may have been lost during Tropical Storm Colin.

Personnel from Sauers Environmental Management continue to monitor for shorebirds, which are mating and nesting along the Longboat Key shoreline. At least one nest was lost during the storm.

Generally, the truck haul operates 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with sand hauling trucks traversing the beach in both directions, escorted by ATV for safety. Please pardon the interruption while we work to enhance the beach. For additional status updates and helpful links, click here.

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